sign in sign up
<<
Home , Aruna Asaf Ali, Ghadar Movement, National Book Trust

Annual Subscription Rs 5.00; 50 paise per copy August 2019 • Vol 37 No. 8

Contents 62 Years of NBT

62 YEARS of NBT

Publishing 1 Publicity & Social Media 2 Research & Surveys 3 - Translation Programme 3 Grants & Subsidy 3 Promotion of Books & Reading 3 New World Book Fair 4 Participation at International n 1 August 2019, National Book well-defined series in English, and OTrust, India will be celebrating the all major Indian languages like Asamiya, Book Fairs 4 62 years of its Foundation. On this day Bangla, Gujarati, Kannada, Kashmiri, in August 1957, National Book Trust, Konkani, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Literary Festivals 5 India was established by the Government Odia, Punjabi, Rajasthani, Sindhi, Telugu, of India to promote books and reading Tamil and . National Centre for Children’s as well as to publish quality books for In its endeavour to encourage reading Literature the general readers. All these years NBT habit in remote areas of the country, NBT 5 India has engaged itself in producing publishes books in minor languages and good literature in English, Hindi and regional dialects as well. Over the years, Training Course 5 other Indian languages and making them available at moderate prices to the public Foundation Day Celebrations 5 at their doorsteps. Publishing Books on Freedom Movement 6 NBT publishes a wide range of books across different genres including children’s Books on Freedom Fighters 7 books, fiction, social science, medical science and cutting edge technology, Mobile Exhibition at Himachal biographies, autobiographies, books on Pradesh 8 pedagogy and books for neo-literates under

AUGUST 2019 NBT NEWSLETTER 1 the Trust has brought out a number of books in Bhili, Bhatri, Halbi, Himachali and some in north-eastern languages like Ao Naga, Bhutia, Boro, Garo, Khasi, Kokborok, Lepcha, Limboo, Mising, Mizo, Newari and Tibetan. Recently, the Trust has brought out eight books in dialects used in the Bastar region of Chhattisgarh in Devanagri script. Besides, the Trust has brought out books on and on children’s themes in Maithili, Magahi and Bhojpuri– all spoken in Bihar – in Devnagri script. In the process of developing books in minor languages, the Trust also organizes workshops in which writers and translators participate to bring out these books. NBT gives special focus on children’s literature and publishes a large number of books for children under its Nehru Bal As part of its special efforts to promote language, Pustakalaya series in English, Hindi and all Indian languages. the Trust also publishes books in Sanskrit. The first book is These books are published to cater to the needs of children and Gandhi Tatva Shatkam authored by Dr M V Nadkarni. The book develop reading habit amongst them. Besides, NBT publishes describes the life of Mahatma Gandhi in 108 shlokas. Besides, select titles from its various series in Braille for the visually the Trust has published the book Charaiveti Charaiveti, written impaired readers. in Sanskrit by Shri Ram Naik, Hon’ble Governor of Uttar Pradesh. The Trust also organizes special seminars on Sanskrit languages and literature to explore the possibilities of bringing out more books in the language. National Book Trust, India has ventured into e-book publishing, with its best-selling titles available in the e-format, mainly intended to cater to the demands of Indian Diaspora and tech-savvy youth. The e-books are available in English, Hindi as Over the years, NBT has widened its reach among the well as in other Indian languages. general readers across the country by providing innovative Publicity & Social Media content to its publishing profile. Some of the recently launched series of the books include, Veergatha series, Women Pioneers, To enlighten readers about the literary and publishing events Navlekhanmala and Mahila Lekhan Protsahan Yojana being organized by NBT across the country and connect them with the rich tradition of writings, NBT brings out monthly Newsletter in English as well as a quarterly magazine in Hindi titled Pustak Sanskriti. Besides the activities of NBT, the magazine carries the unpublished, original writings (short story, essays, poems, travelogues, etc.) of authors, book reviews, among others. Readers can also get catalogues of NBT publications in English, Hindi and Indian languages in print format from its stalls and in e-format from its website. The readers can also connect with NBT through social networking websites like Facebook and Twitter. Facebook page

2 NBT NEWSLETTER AUGUST 2019 carries information about forthcoming Grants & Subsidy programmes, new publications and To promote Indian writings events conducted. Taking into account abroad, NBT has initiated the spread of smartphones and internet Financial Assistance Programme connectivity, NBT has developed an for Translation under which app which is available for downlaod in financial assistance is provided Google Play Store for Android phones. to the publishers from abroad The app works as an information provider for translation of original of NBT’s publications as well as a sales Indian writings published by platform where one can place orders for Indian publishers in English, books. Hindi and other Indian languages into foreign languages. Research & Surveys To promote the publication of reasonably priced books for higher education, NBT gives financial assistance to authors and As part of its endeavours to assess the publishers of textbooks and reference material. So far, NBT has readership patterns as well as the reading subsidized the publication of more than a thousand titles. needs of the youth, NBT organised a The Trust also runs a Grant-in-Aid Scheme under which it survey amongst the rural and urban gives financial assistance to select voluntary and literary bodies youth across the country. The survey was for organizing book fairs and book promotional activities. carried out in association with National Council for Applied Economic Research Promotion of Books and Reading (NCAER) under the National Action Promotion of books is another major objective of NBT. In Plan for Readership Development furthering this objective, NBT continues to organize a number Among the Youth (NAPRDY). The of book exhibitions, book fairs, book festivals and literary first such survey has been brought out programmes throughout the country. NBT has organized nearly as National Youth Readership Survey. The followup study in 300 Regional Book Fairs, over 40 National Book Fairs and 27 New the form of a second Report on the Youth of North-East India: Demographics and Readership which presented an analytical and detailed account of the reading habits of the literate youth in the northeastern states and their exposure to different forms of media has also been published by the Trust. India-China Translation Programme In a significant initiative in cultural diplomacy, the and the Government of People’s Republic of China have put forward an ambitious translation programme that includes translation of select 25 classical and contemporary literary works from Chinese into Hindi and Indian literary works into Chinese. The project of taking forward the programme was given to National Book Trust, India. To implement this project the External Publicity and Public Diplomacy Division of Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India and the National Book Trust, India signed an MoU, to translate the 25 Chinese works Delhi World Book Fairs. Besides, NBT operates an innovative into Hindi. scheme of exhibition of books through mobile exhibition vans. Crisscrossing the different states of the country, these vans help make books accessible to people living in rural and remote areas of the states. The Trust has a scheme of NBT Book Club. The members of this Club can avail a special discount on purchase of NBT

AUGUST 2019 NBT NEWSLETTER 3 books and also a discount on postal charges on the receipt of books through VPP. Now book lovers can also buy books online through NBT website. World Book Fair

The regional offices of NBT in Bengaluru, , and New Delhi play a crucial role in the promotion and sale of books in different parts of the country. NBT has also set up Book Promotion Centres in different states/UTs including The annual New Delhi World Book Fair is one the most prominent Agartala, Chennai, Cuttack, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Kochi and event of global importance which is organized by NBT. The first Patna. These centres have designated areas for organizing literary New Delhi World Book Fair was held at Windsor Place, New events, programmes for children and book release functions. Delhi in the year 1972 in which 200 publishers participated. These centres also organize mobile van exhibitions across their Over the years, it has become the largest and prestigious book respective states. publishing event in the Afro-Asian region. Thousands of prominent publishers, booksellers and Participation at International Book Fairs distributors from across the globe participate in the Fair. Authors

As a nodal agency to promote Indian books abroad, NBT Corners, CEOSpeak and Rights Table have become regular participates in various international book fairs and put up features of this Fair. Supplemented with literary and publishing exhibitions to display select titles brought out by various programmes, NDWBF provides an opportunity to authors, book Indian publishers. Since 1970, NBT has participated in several lovers and publishers to interact with each other, promote titles, international book fairs including Abu Dhabi, Beijing, Bologna, make copublication arrangements and enhance trade contacts. Colombo, Frankfurt, Indonesia, Seoul, Sharjah, Tehran among The next edition of NDWBF will be held at Pragati Maidan, others. India’s Guest of Honour Presentations at Frankfurt (2006), New Delhi in January 2020. (2009), Beijing (2010), Seoul (2013), Asian Festival of

4 NBT NEWSLETTER AUGUST 2019 Children’s Content (2014) and Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (2019) were organised by NBT. This is will be followed by presentations at forthcoming Guadalajara (Mexico) and Paris book fairs. Literary Festivals

Readers’ Club Bulletin is also published to foster the Movement. NCCL has a Library-cum-Documentation Centre with a collection of over 15,000 books on children’s literature covering wide range of subjects in 44 languages of the world (18 Indian Literary festivals are forums where authors candidly interact and 26 foreign languages). with the booklovers and share their views on current issues. In an attempt to make the author-reader relationship lively and Training Courses interactive, NBT organized the Brahmaputra Literary Festival in association with the Government of Assam at Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra Guwahati, Assam in January 2017 and February 2018. It brought together authors of different languages from different regions of India and abroad. The Festival saw a number of discussions, conversations and reading sessions being organized on various important issues of contemporary times like media, democracy, children’s writings, literature from Northeast, Bangla literature, Hindi literature, oral literature and writings on wildlife among others. National Centre for Children’s Literature To create a pool of trained professionals for the publishing NBT has a dedicated wing for the creation, promotion industry, NBT conducts a month-long Training Course in Book and dissemination of children’s literature, National Centre Publishing in Delhi. Besides, NBT organizes short-term training for Children’s Literature (NCCL). Established in the year courses in publishing in other parts of the country. In addition, 1993, NCCL is the nodal agency in the country to promote, NBT has collaborated with select universities to offer one year monitor, coordinate, plan and aid children’s literature in various postgraduate diploma in publishing. With this course, NBT has languages. NCCL organises workshops, discussions, seminars been able to create more skilled human resource for publishing and exhibitions for children and professionals to explore new industry. avenues in children’s literature and creative skills in children and participates in international book fairs to promote Indian Foundation Day Celebrations children’s literature abroad. Besides NCCL runs the Readers’ To mark its Foundation Day on 1 August, NBT organises a Club Movement to promote the habit of reading at school level. number of literary programmes every year, significant among The Movement, arguably, is considered to be one of the largest them is the Annual Lecture series, initiated in the year 2012. reading movements in the world. Till date over 35,000 Readers’ NBT Foundation Day Lecture series aims to focus on the Clubs have been established in the country. A bilingual magazine importance of ‘Books and Reading in Today’s India’ and bring in critical thinking by inviting an eminent personality from among women and men of letters, scholars, intellectuals and others who have made significant contributions to the world of publishing. The lectures have so far been delivered by Dr Shashi Tharoor, Prof. Andre Beteille, Ms. Shashi Deshpande, Prof. Kapil Kapoor, Dr. N K Singh, Prof. Makarand R Paranjape and Dr Sreenivasa Rao. The eighth NBT Foundation Day lecture is to be held on 1 August 2019. A number of book exhibitions and other book promotion activities will also be organized across the country.

AUGUST 2019 NBT NEWSLETTER 5 Books on Freedom Movement

The nation celebrates on 15 August 2017. National Book Trust, India has been publishing several books on freedom struggle marking important moments in the ’s freedom struggle. Story of I.N.A. Freedom Struggle S A Ayer Bipan Chandra and others This book, by a loyal colleague of Netaji A lucidly written account of India’s freedom , presents a concise struggle, its history, development and the account of Netaji’s role in India’s struggle for diverse forces which contributed to it. One freedom with the constitution of the Indian of the best book for students, teachers and National Army (I.N.A.). Besides highlighting candidates for civil service aspirants. Netaji’s serious nature, the book describes 81-237-0249-X; Rs 105 the events that led to his being caught in the India’s Glorious Freedom Struggle and the vortex of and subsequent exile and disappearance. Post-Independence Era 978-81-237-2122-4; Rs 95 The Contribution of The Revolutionists in India’s Freedom The book discusses the freedom struggle, the goals set for an Struggle independent India, how far the country succeeded in achieving Hiren Gohain them and what is to be done for the future. The book traces the role and contribution of the heroic part 978-81-237-5842-8; Rs 85 played by the revolutionary leaders in India’s national movement. History of Khadi 978-81-237-5793-2; Rs 95 Geetanjali Parikh Trials of Independence The book attempts to take the readers on a B R Agarwala historical journey of Khadi, from being a livery This book gives a vivid account of some of of freedom to green fabric or designer wear. It the well-known trials of revolutionaries, aims to provide an insight on the pivotal role thinkers, journalists and political leaders Khadi played in the Indian economic planning, who took up the cause of Independence and giving a roadmap of Khadi from local village to made concerted efforts to overthrow an alien world market. rule. The trials of these freedom fighters, 978-81-237-6042-1; Rs 80 whose prosecution by the oppressive regimes Rebellion 1857 aroused political consciousness among the P C Joshi (Ed.); Foreword by Irfan Habib masses, give a deep insight into the characters of the persons Popularly known as the first Indian war of tried, including their varied temperaments and ideologies. Independence, the Rebellion of 1857 was a 81-237-0259-6; Rs 80 significant moment in the political history of Freedom Movement and Indian Muslims modern India. Despite the broad consensus Santimoy Ray of opinion about the national character of the The book challenges the many prejudices that generate bias and movement, yet this uprising still remains mired hatred against the Indian Muslims, particularly their contentious in controversies. Through extensive references role in Indian freedom movement and the rise of the Indian to first hand accounts and other historical Muslim League. documents, the essays in this volume while bringing together 978-81-237-6139-8; Rs 85 varied scholarship, analyse the nature, causes, its impact on the : A Short History national literature of India as well as the interest it generated Harish K Puri abroad. The Ghadar Movement was in many ways a 978-81-237-4935-8; Rs 210 novel struggle for the freedom of India. This Komagata Maru: Not Just a Voyage book is a short history of the genesis and rise of Malwinderjit Singh Waraich & Gurdev the movement, its transnational dimensions, Singh Sidhu romance of patriotism, limitations and The present book gives details of the journey illusions, tremendous sacrifices and its of Komagata Maru, a Japanese steamship from legacy that inspired and other Hong Kong to Canada with 376 passengers on revolutionaries. board in the backdrop of Ghadar movement. 978-81-237-6282-1; Rs 110 978-81-237-6997-0; Rs 150

6 NBT NEWSLETTER AUGUST 2019 Books on Freedom Fighters

In the freedom movement of India, several known and unknown freedom fighters participated. National Book Trust, India has published a number of books on their lives and times. Some of them are given below.

Aruna living abroad in order to uproot the that had enslaved G N S Raghavan India. He was the prop of the Ghadar Party and therefore Aruna Asaf Ali is always remembered for her daring act of acclaimed as the Ghadar Party Hero. hoisting the tricolor at Gowalia Tank Maidan, Mumbai on 9 978-81-237-6171-8; Rs 100 August 1942. A fiery political revolutionary during the struggle Harekrushna Mahtab for independence, Aruna Asaf Ali became a constructive Souribandhu Kar and compassionate social evolutionary after independence Harekrushna Mahtab is considered as the campaigning for the removal of poverty and illiteracy. builder of modern Orissa. He was a great 978-81-237-2762-2; Rs 120 freedom fighter, nation builder, social reformer, Bagha Jatin historian, journalist and literary genius. His Prithwindra Mukherjee farsighted leadership has left an indelible mark Bagha Jatin was one of the 21 revolutionaries in the history of our country. This book is an associated with ‘Yugantar’ group operating in in-depth study of the life and personality of Dr for Indian independence. Jatin’s life was Mahtab, which is also the story of the contemporary Orissa. a saga of struggle to overthrow foreign rule. 978-81-237-6442-9; Rs 80 This biography throws light on his life and times. Jasleen Dhamija 978-81-237-5961-6; Rs 135 This concise biography of one of the most Birsa Munda important woman leaders of the twentieth K S Singh century India who contributed both during The book tells the life story of Birsa Munda, the pre-independence and post-independence who led an armed struggle against the British periods, brings to light the life and times of to establish Munda Raj in the tribal region of Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay. The biography Chhota-nagpur, Jharkhand, formerly in Bihar. brings out her contribution to the freedom Besides, he launched a spirited campaign movement, women’s rights, human rights, living cultural against priesthood, alcoholism and belief tradition and performing arts. in spirits and black magic prevalent among 978-81-237-4881-7; Rs 50 various tribal communities. Kanaklata Barua 81-237-3796-3; Rs 90 Shiela Bora Dr Zakir Husain Kanaklata was only seventeen when she fell to the bullets of brutal M Mujeeb police firing while trying to hoist the tricolour at the Gohpur A scholar, educationist, philanthropist and the President of Police Station, a symbol of British power. In bringing to light India from 1967 to 1969, Dr Zakir Husain endeared himself to this little known sacrifice of Kanaklata, the book looks at the men of different religious communities through his secular and whole hearted participation of women in the freedom movement democratic outlook. This illuminating biography provides an who broke through the barriers of patriarchy, caste, traditions intimate glimpse into the life of this great man and his work. and customs. 81-237-2011-4; Rs 170 978-81-237-7819-8; Rs 155 Gandhiji and His Disciples Nabakrushna Choudhury Jayant Pandya This book is the story of twelve eminent Nabakrushna Choudhury is a veteran Gandhians, their initiation and shaping of freedom fighter. He was one of the founders their personalities by the Mahatma and their of the Congress Socialist Forum in Odisha, contribution to humanity. Chief Minister, bibliophile, personification 978-81-237-1116-4; Rs 100 of knowledge, love and action. He remains a robust specimen of revolutionary spirit wedded Ghadar Party Hero : to humanism. Variously unconventional, he Chaman Lal was a peerless political prodigy of his time. The martyr Kartar Singh Sarabha worked to unite the Indians 978-87-237-7318-6; Rs 185

NBT NEWSLETTER AUGUST 2019 NBT NEWSLETTER 7 Mobile Exhibition at Himachal RNI-39456/82 Postal Regd. No. DL-SW-1-4076/2018-20 Pradesh Licenced to post without prepayment. ational Book Trust, India organized mobile book exhibitions L.No. U(SW)21/2018-20 N(Pustak Parikrama) in rural parts of Himachal Pradesh from Mailing date: 5/6 Same Month 28 May to 23 June 2019. These mobile exhibitions moved across Date of Publication: 01/08/2019 Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Mandi, Nahan, Book Your Fair Dates Solan, Sundar Nagar and Una districts in Jammu Book Fair - August 2019 Himachal Pradesh. The Ujjain Book Fair - August 2019 exhibition vans visited Chandigarh Book Fair - September 2019 rural areas, schools, Bilaspur Book Fair - November 2019 colleges, major bus Tuticorin Book Fair - December 2019 stands, city markets, Shillong Book Fair - February 2019 Panchayat samitis and Aanganwadi of these districts. The exhibition included books in Hindi and English languages across genres like biographies, books on Mahatma Gandhi, social science, popular science and children’s books. A large number of people including school and college students visited these exhibitions. Over the years, this outreach programme of the Trust has helped carry forward its objective of promotion of books in English, Hindi and other Indian languages and the culture of reading in the country. Join NBT Book Club. These exhibitions have played a significant role in creating a unique Avail a Discount of 20% relationship with the booklovers across the country especially, remote areas. on NBT Publications

NBT Newsletter is the house magazine of the National On India Government Service Book Trust, India — an autonomous organisation of the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Department of Higher Education, Government of India.

The views expressed in the signed articles do not necessarily reflect the official views of the Trust.

Editor: Binny Kurian Editorial Associate: Surekha Sachdeva Production Officer: Narender Kumar

National Book Trust, India Nehru Bhawan, 5 Institutional Area, Vasant Kunj, Phase-II New Delhi-110 070 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.nbtindia.gov.in Readers are requested to write to the editor expressing their views about the NEWSLETTER.

Printed and published by Anuj Kumar Bharti on behalf of National Book Trust, India and printed at Aravali Printers and Publishers Pvt. Ltd., W-30 Phase-II, Okhla Industrial Area, New Delhi-110020, and published at National Book Trust, India, Nehru Bhawan, 5 Institutional Area, Phase-II, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi-110070. Editor: Binny Kurian.

Typeset and designed at Capital Creations, Subhram Complex, If undelivered please return to: Munirka, New Delhi-110 067. National Book Trust, India, Nehru Bhawan, 5 Institutional Area, Phase-II, New Delhi - 110 070

8 NBT NEWSLETTER AUGUST 2019